“Stoic” was a shot I took during a snowstorm in Charlottesville, Va. The rusted out parking sign struck me as a stark contrast to the paper-white snow that had just fallen. Hope you enjoy! Go directly to SmugMug to purchase.
An entry into the Gertrude Herbert Fine Art Competition, “Torrent” is the result of a visit to the pottery place in North Atlanta. “Kiln Candy” comes from the same shoot that day. Enjoy.
(ATLANTA - 11 May 2011) :: Atlanta has a long and illustrious history of artist enclaves, lively creative events and world-famous destinations. Visitors to Studioplex this Saturday (May 14th, 11-6 p.m.) will see all of those elements together in ArtWalkFest.
At Studioplex, the historic former cotton mill in Atlanta’s Old 4th Ward district, first- and second-floor lofts and common-area spaces have been transformed to house artists, chefs, musicians, jewelers, glass blowers, photographers, painters and so much more. Here’s just a slice of what you’ll see:
Shondra Leigh’s “Stained” line of socially conscious jewelry. These stunning pieces have been crafted from balls of tar that washed up on the Gulf of Mexico after the BP oil spill. (Visit Loft #201)
Scott Serpas, famed chef and owner of Studioplex-located Serpas restaurant, will be treating visitors to a cooking demo at 3:30
ARTvision Atlanta, benefiting Positive Impact, will hold its final round of sales, featuring discounted pieces from Delia Cochran, Sean Mansfield, Kimber Herndon and much more. (Visit Loft #131)
Lorikay Photography will be snapping free Facebook profile pictures with a red, chalkboard background to give you the customized look you want! (Visit Loft #205)
In a nod to my history with Nantucket Island, “Madaket Sun” shows the ocean town at dusk - with the sun shining hot on Cape Cod homes, shot through some brush.
“Madaket Sun”
“Madaket Sun” was shot in 2005, so it’s a dip into my portfolio - and it’s a wish to return there someday soon. Enjoy.
It’s proof that spring has sprung. It shows how beading water can be its own natural ballad. It’s grace after a wild storm.
“Cadence” (Zenyard II)
“Cadence” is the latest entry in my “Zenyard” series - showing natural images shot in my backyard here in Midtown Atlanta. Because beauty is very often just steps away - as long as we’re awake to see it. - WP
So proud of our magnificent artists - ARTvision earned Positive Impact more than $11,000 this year. We once again increased our donation for the year-over-year period!
I just took over the “Project Idol” column for ProjectQ Atlanta - look for lots of dish about some of the year’s best singers, and the lameness (so far) of the judging panel.
This month’s header, “Low Shelter,” comes from a scene outside Brevard, N.C., when I was on my way to contesting a speeding ticket that Jason and I got while looking for Owenby Farms. This image will be for sale on RedBubble for the same price as the ticket - $180.
Look for more updates about ARTvision Live and another round of sales. - WP
”Strewn” heads up wp.com for August... And it struck me as unusually bleak and yet beautiful all in one. I was at a wedding in Maryland with Jason and this was the moment there were three photographers shooting the moments following the ceremony - moments that were truly special. The feet in the picture are of the photographer of record, standing and switching the settings of her camera.
The color of the yellow rose petals against the grain of the dock was truly a sight to see. hope you enjoy.
(CHARLOTTESVILLE :: 8 February 2010) After boffo numbers for ARTvision-4 - to the tune of more than $7,000 - I am turning attention to new endeavors in the coming months. • In March, watch for the launch of WillofAtlanta.com - a viewer- and fan-derived site that profiles and collects some of the best sights, sounds, eats and attractions that Atlanta has to offer. • I am co-curator of my 20th reunion’s Alumni Art Exhibition at Skidmore College. We’re accepting submissions now so if you have one please let me know ASAP. • A number of projects are coming down the pike for The Sunday Paper, including a profile of Affairs to Remember and its green initiatives; and a story about race in the barber chair. • Continuing development of “EIQ: Everyman’s Guide to Developing Emotional Fortitude” - working on finding an agent, publicist, publisher and, ultimately, readers! • Relaunch of the Stone Four Media Web site and a new location for Stone Four Studios, both coming very soon. • More captures and posts here at wp.com. Now that ARTvision has concluded I have more time for posting. • Updated wp.com pages: reel, who? and tunes.
My great thanks to all ARTvision buyers, volunteers and artists - all of which came together in celebration of the arts to support Positive Impact.
(New header capture: “Answered.” purchased by Wayne Sun; thumbnail: “Absurd Alphabet” by Sean Mansfield, both in honor of ARTvision-4.)
(4 September 2009 :: CHARLOTTESVILLE) - I learned a new term while traveling on a catered passenger barge for Rob’s birthday in France.
Aside from needing (and getting) regular exercise to work off the ultra-rich, amazingly tasty French cuisine, one must also pass through what’s called a “lock” when one travels down a canal or other body where the water level changes. I guess being a city boy I never had a need to know that.
This month’s header capture, “Emergence,” could only have come to pass because of these canal locks. The guy in the picture was working his boat with this two other buddies, rising up as the lock sloshed and churned full with murky water. He had his hands resting on the side of the lock and was waiting for the boat to reach the required level to move on.
I grabbed my camera and shot their entry into the lock, which turned out to be a very interesting group of pictures to say the least. Then... I went for a run.
As we slink away from summer, I thought a nice way to say good-bye would be next month’s header capture, “emergence,” a photo I snapped while in France.
Watch for it, along with a brief story, on Wednesday.
More stuff added then, too, including details on new SFM projects and ARTvision previews.
Like I’ve said in my conversations with other riders, “Don’t send a photographer to do a cyclist’s job.”
Hence the lots of stopping to capture scenes while doing 70 miles over a two-day stretch. “Great Oaks,” the header capture for wp.com this month, was an outgrowth of that ride - and is a symbol of country kindness you don’t find anywhere else.
On my return leg, I stopped at this familiar location and a gal came out to as me if I was OK. “I’m fine, just taking a breather,” I said. Sounded like their family was getting ready to sit down to Sunday brunch.
Everyone should be required to spend a day on a bike touring the countryside. You get an immediate appreciation for your surroundings, and every once in a while, you are surprised by kindness.
Click here to see my entire 2009 header-capture gallery. Take a look here at all the photos from my AV200 ride.
(ATLANTA/D.C. :: 9 February 2009) While pressed against my fellow Americans waiting for entry to the gates into inauguration, I kept thinking of the Dickens classic quote: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...” That thread from “A Tale of Two Cities” felt pretty spot-on during the few days Brandon and I were there for the Presidential changeover. It was the “best of times” the night before the actual event, where we sat in DuPont Circle witnessing Kate Clinton conduct a “saging” of the White House - where she hired a shaman to do her ritual to cleanse the nation’s First Building from the muck that was in there for the past eight years. The place was overrun with metaphysical hippies burning bunches of sage, with the pungent waft of sooty smoke filling the air. It was the best of times when we celebrated with Ted and Rolando later that evening, with lots of faces, new and old, came together to cook, eat, drink and socialize and celebrate the occasion. The mink coat got passed around one too many times I think, but hey - it’s not a party without mink passing. The actual day of inauguration got off to a great start, where we woke up early and started our trek down to the Mall. I snapped “Tuesday Best,” my favorite picture of the entire few days while I was walking behind a girl in a pink outfit, dressed to the nines and ready to see the event, holding her parents’ hands and looking back at us with ultimate curiosity. She was pretty in pink to say the least.
But that nice moment led us to the security gates outside the mall, and it became apparent quickly that we were going to get stopped in our tracks. We ended up in the midst of a security checkpoint hell that had been so badly choked with thousands of people that the conditions were inhuman. We got so squeezed next to fellow inauguration-goers that there was literally no space between us. “Any more people in here, we’ll need a lubricant,” as Rob Reiner said in Postcards from the Edge. Conditions at this check point were outrageous (one woman fainted and was taken away in a folding table masquerading as a stretcher) and the security detail behaved like they had never put the event on before.
As my Tweet from the scene explained: “inhuman, insane conditions at inauguration admittance. people mashing, fainting... gates look like Nazi Germany.” I don’t even remember how I got my arms free enough to make that Tweet in the first place.
Ted, Brandon and I got through security in about five hours - traveling literally about a half-block - only to get trapped in parade hell... not allowed to leave the perimeter of Pennsylvania Ave. As we initially crossed over, though, I shot a picture of the Capitol building through a coterie of fuzz, all of whom were looking extremely important but not doing much. All tolled, security for the parade was extreme overkill, with officers standing around trading recipes as the choked-off checkpoints reeled in desperate need of additional manpower.
Once we got through that frustrating few hours, the day made a turn for the better. The evening of inauguration we attended “Out for Equality,” the HRC event in D.C. that featured Melissa Etheridge, Rufus Rainwright, Cyndi Lauper and many more. Brandon and I parked ourselves up in the balcony, even elbowing a few huffy lesbians, in order to get some choice shots and video (to follow shortly) of the great event. Cyndi Lauper, although fighting with audio issues most of her set, was exceptional and showed the most personality. The bejeweled Rufus was good, as was Melissa - although I’m still grumbling that she didn’t perform “I Need To Wake Up,” the theme from “An Inconvenient Truth.” She missed an opportunity to frame the event with that important message, and also apparently missed the make-up desk, oy... looking uber au natural.
Bottom line? The few days in D.C. were an imperfect experience for an imperfect nation. And I’d certainly tolerate a bit of “the worst of times” in order to be part of the beginning of the best. Which is really what inauguration was about, anyway - ushering out shitty years in favor of a new hope, a new beginning and a fresh perspective. That feeling was palpable in the air, and amongst the people squeezed in next to me.
After turning my attention to ARTvision 2008, I’m now ready to turn back to WP.com.
Here are some new features that will expand over the next months:
- Each month I’ll find a new quote to add to the sidebar. This month, a gem about whining from Lily Tomlin.
- A new tab, “REEL” will showcase related streaming video I’ve loaded to YouTube and other sites. Everything from “Groundbreakers” to old-school stuff like the Skidmore lip sync will be at this tab.
- New Vault articles, including one from Art & Antiques and Sea Ray Living magazines.
- This month’s header capture is “Zenyard II,” the second in an ongoing series of photos from the outdoor environs of 844. The Japanese maple was turning last fall into its vibrant red and I shot it before the leaves fell. I decided to make “Zenyard” a series because we could all stand a little “moment of zen” (phrase borrowed from The Daily Show) in everyday life, right?
Make sure to check back often for ARTvision updates, new book info, N&N pictures and much more.
Thanks ("...but no theeeanks!") and gratitude for all attendees of "Turning the Page: Atlantans Rally for Obama." Take a look at the pictures below... I loved seeing new and familiar (not old!) faces.
Thanks to Michael Baker of Positive Impact and Edmund Thornton of Georgia Pride for helping make this event so memorable.
Here's a look at the pictures:
And for those of you who missed Triscuit's Sarah Palin hissy fit, here you go:
That seems to be what we're up to the past few days - both in the election and with the credit markets.
So I submit "Equilibrium" for your consideration... to help your soul know that hope is on the horizon. I submitted it to JPGmag.com in the "faith" category because we're always closer to our spiritual side in nature. Click the link to learn more.
Also, heading up wp.com for October is "Awash" - another in my Costa Rican Orchid Garden series. This image is one of a few captures that will be featured in ARTvision 2008. More on that very soon.
Other new features this month:
- Updated Jump pages - New navigation, including a new tab to my Twitter profile, the newest (and most addictive) social networking site - Revised bio, including new projects - New captures loaded to my MobileMe gallery, including the 40/70 celebration - New vault articles
I was doing my green duty riding Marta to the airport the other day and stumbled across this note... it was initially hidden from my view, but when a passenger got up I spotted it. There was a nice gal seated to the left of the note, across from me, who thought I was nuts taking this picture -- but I wanted to capture it. All the Marta riders around me cocked their heads to figure out what I was doing.
In the spirit of "Postsecret," a collection of secrets from anonymous sources (thanks to Wayne and Ed for showing it to me), I've helped give Byron one last chance to reach the girl of his dreams. This made riding Marta that day totally worth it.
I also gave the gal who tolerated me shooting this picture my info, so I hope she gets back. If so, give me a shout! Thanks to her for putting up with me.
So... Here is an example of honest and spontaneous affection that seems to have not found its recipient... So I'm putting this out there to keep his hopes alive.
# # #
Update: I did hear from my gal pal on Marta! Thanks to Marina for dropping me a line. See the comments section for more.
Adaptive re-users... unite! The coverage of the house renovation continues... Sick of it yet? Thanks to Frank at WicksteadWorks for making this happen, and for being my adaptive re-use partner in crime. Here's a link to the photo gallery, and then also, a jump to the full story by Helen Caulley. Operational coal returns, recycled antique doors, a Japanese Zen garden. Who woulda thought?? All I can say is that I had a lot of help and that there is everything to be said for collaboration. Of course, this post would be incomplete without a photo show of my own. ARTvision 2008 has an official new home for artwork display!
This capture was shot at a retreat in Costa Rica... the door struck me because of how perfectly weathered the paint was... almost like it was intentionally distressed.
And since I'm obsessed with texture in photos - like tree bark, rusted metal, etc. - this capture really got to me.
Make sure to click through the link and vote! (Image flipped for the header banner, fyi.)
From here on out, "always tell stories" will be the tagline that accompanies willpollock.com. The phrase basically embodies everything I do, on a personal and professional level. so I guess it just made sense.
You'll also find this month's header capture, "chaingang," which features an image from a junkyard in West Midtown. The well-known destination has this bright-orange rail car just sitting there with a bunch of other castaway items. Georgia Tech photography students are frequently seen shooting that place.
Shown in this post: "Lust in Luster," an image from Pike's Market in Seattle.
Mike, Nettie and Dean Pollock (and me) approached this scene at Snoqualmie Falls outside of Seattle. As luck would have it, the fisherman was cold when we arrived, but soon after caught a few.
(Washington, D.C. ~ 14 October 2007) - The tuxedos and ball gowns came out in full force for HRC's National Dinner, led admirably by Ted Toon and Sarah Booth. What an awesome time! We had the absolute pleasure of sitting with many of Ted's family members, Rolando, as well as other pals Clarke, Sam, Val and Rebecca. The food was tasty, when we weren't glued to the stage -- and since this photog was six feet from keynote speaker Nancy Pelosi and one table from Tim Gunn, I didn't spend very much time eating!
Ken and Dale and Laurice and Rebecca were all within spittin' distance from us, too. So much fun to be amongst so many familiar faces. The best way to describe the night is as a "peak experience" - where people came together to hear how hard Pelosi has worked from the beginning on representing her San Francisco constituents in fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS, as well as many other issues. Even some surprise war protesters could not dull the evening. Once I saw how close I was to Tim Gunn, I was immediately on a mission to meet him and have a good story to tell Penny -- who is a stalker-level fan of Guide to Style. I treated Pen to a tribute page with a collection of pix from my meeting with Mr. Gunn, who gave me some props for my "cream" colored tuxedo. Thanks to Sam for his great shots of that moment, and to everyone for alerting me to the many other photo opps we had throughout the evening. Thanks also to Ted and Rolando for being such spectacular hosts; to Ted's whole family for being so awesome; and to Rolando and Rebecca for asking me to design the program ad. How in the hell did we keep that a secret?? For more, visit the Kodak Gallery event pictures, as well as the page I loaded on candids. Movie clips to follow... Enjoy!
The full Seattle travel blog is coming soon. In the meantime, take a peek at a few of these... And make sure to drop me a line and let me know what you think!
Thanks to Ron at Composition Gallery for putting on a great show. As you can see from these pictures, I was in great company -- I even bought two prints for myself.
New show opens there on rock-star pictures tonight... I saw a preview yesterday and it's super cool! Following rock stars around and snapping pictures of them? I want that job!
I'm showing a couple of pieces at the upcoming Velcro Show at Composition Gallery... Including one seen below entitled "Dusk for Doolin," which I shot during my recent trip to Ireland. The show will go on for most of July, so make sure to check it out.
Reception and show kick-off: Saturday, July 7, 2007 (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) Show concludes: Friday, July 20, 2007
Composition Gallery is located in Candler Park and features affordable photographic works from local and regional artists. If you can't make the reception, please be sure to stop by the gallery and take a look.
Thanks to Chef Dean, Andy, Michael, the staff at South City, McCall, Jim and John, and all of my awesome friends and neighbors for a great afternoon last week. The "New South Cuisine" article for Taste Magazine is slated for the Summer 2007 issue! Jump to the sample pictures
The day before Easter a bunch of us went up to Barboursville Winery, where we witnessed firsthand how well the Virginia wine scene has come up in the world. Four-course meal, four wine pairings. Everything was awesome...